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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

What's Happening Now?

Well, another seven days have flown by, and it's time once again for our midweek update – a chance for characters to reveal their current whereabouts. In this way, authors can share what's happening within their stories by speaking through their characters' unique voices.

So, let's hear it, characters. It's time to share your pleasures, your pitfalls, your ambitions, or whatever else is on your mind – and hopefully, by revealing where you are in your story, you'll help inspire your authors to keep moving forward with theirs.

Perhaps I haven't worked for wages, but I work very hard at home. I am constantly taking care of Pelwyn's things, smoothing over family differences, and patching up the boys. But, you are right, I haven't worked for a living. These things I do out of love, and to earn my keep.

I'm sorry your author is ill. It is such a bore when that happens and I hope she'll soon be better.Mine has had me reading my great aunt's diary.Such a sweet, innocent love she had with that boy, until one night... well, it was still innocent really. Such dreams they have of their future but even though she says she'll marry him she takes off and flies back East. She knows he won't come back. I don't know why - pretty mean if you ask me.

Oh, my! I was only inviting Aidan to come and visit. And Kaelin, Marc, Jason and Lucy, too, by implication. I have no designs on the prince. I just thought it would be a nice break for him. I mean, for all of you.

And besides, Aidan is already promised in marriage, is he not? So I would certainly never mean to imply anything other than friendship. That would definitely be "unsuitable."

I don't quite know what to say. I'm flattered that you're flattered. Not that I do have, um, "designs" of any kind. But, well, how did "sleeping" come into this conversation?

And, well, we should have a chaperone(s) present. So yes, I'd like it if the others came. But I can put a containing spell on your room, if you like, to keep you from sleepwalking. Or we can set Nighfala as a guard. I guarantee you won't get far with her draped across your feet. She is a house cat at heart, but not in body.

Why do we need a chaperone? We're both grown ups. I mean, I have to have guards because of the whole Lord Seer thing. But I wouldn't do anything. Not with you, Marenya.

Wait, I don't mean it like that. I mean...shit. I mean not unless you wanted me to. Not because I don't think you're hot and all but--seven hells. Just, that's not just why I want to hang out with you. Not just why, anyway.

Maybe Nighfala can chaperone us. When she's not watching me sleep. And I mean just sleep, Marc, not the other kind.

Aidan, what Marenya means by "chaperone" is that our people avoid being alone with the other sex when unmarried, to avoid even the appearance or faintest suggestion of impropriety. It does not imply anything negative about the other party, rather the opposite: a desire to protect the honor of both parties.

It does, however, make it deuced inconvenient when trying to have a private conversation.

Aidan, it is quite possible to discreetly have a quiet conversation if one desires, as long as we are within view of others. Such as a walk on the balcony in the moonlight, or sitting in a quiet corner by the fire.

I am quite pleased that you wish to come. I think that we could find much to talk about. And you aren't too hard on the eyes either, my Lord. I wonder sometimes what a Seer sees when he isn't "seeing?" Or is your inner sight always plaguing you? And can you read the thoughts of a Hanorja? I would be interested to find out.

I am very impressed that you think I am strong. I sense that you are... alone... despite being constantly surrounded by others. Is that accurate, do you think?

My situation is a bit unusual, I suppose. My cousin will be the Queen one day, after she marries Mel, who is the crown prince, and his father dies. But he will probably live another sixty years, so that won't be for a long time yet.

After my father was killed - he was a Ranger - my mother's cousin (Pelwyn's mother) invited us to come and stay for a while. She had four sons and one daughter, Pelwyn, who is my age. We all got along so well, and my mother was such a help to Lady Tarnbel (who never was strong), and Pelwyn was so plagued by an excess of brothers, that everyone thought we should stay.

So we did. And it worked out quite well after Lady Tarnbel eventually died, because my mother continued running the household. It was she who guided Pelwyn through her courtship with Mel. And now I'm going with her to be her maid-in-waiting.

So I can't really imagine being on my own, because it would mean being separated from Pelwyn, who is dearer than a sister to me. I suppose I will be a sort of spinster aunt to her children and help raise them. I really don't want more than that for myself, deep down, though sometimes I wish I could stay here where things are familiar.

But then, there are some things that are too familiar, if you know what I mean.

How did you know that about feeling alone? My dad and I never got along, but at least he got the whole Sight thing. Now it's just me.

You remind me of Jason. When I was a baby he Swore himself to me. So now he dies if I die, and I'm in danger all the time. I hate it. Marc did it too, but at least he asked first. (And honestly, I think he did it more to impress Lucy than anything.)

Sometimes I try to get Jason to have some fun, hook up, you know... ah shit, now you're blushing again. Sorry. I keep making you do that. Sorry.

Anyway, I'm not trying to offend you or anything, but it seems like you're living Pelwyn's life, not yours. Do you get to go to parties and stuff? Out to pubs, maybe, to meet new people? What do you do for fun?

Jason and Marc must love you very much, Aidan. It must be of immeasurable comfort to you, despite your teasing of each other.

I suppose you could say I'm a bit like them. That is to say, I have chosen to serve my Kingdom by serving the future Queen. If Faldur can spend his life serving as a Ranger, why should I not have a way to serve also?

As well... and this is very difficult to talk about, because I'm not... accustomed to discussing such personal things...

in our society, when a hawin reaches the age of choosing that means that she can be chosen in marriage by a haman, but she cannot be the chooser. It is... unseemly... for her to put herself forward so. She can reject a suitor she dislikes, but at the cost of knowing she will be a burden on her family until she does marry.

So, by committing myself to the royal family, I have removed that burden from my mother and my uncle, as well, who has been more than kind in supporting us so far.

And since no one has chosen me yet, nor is likely to, this is the best, most useful path I can see for myself. I would... I would be lying if I said that sometimes, when I am alone with my thoughts, I wished it could be otherwise. But I must be realistic. And it's not such a bad thing, really, to be surrounded by those who love and value you, now is it?

At least I have a choice, and you, I fear, do not.

What do I do for fun? We do have parties at the castle. My uncle is a very important person, and gives dances and feasts at certain times of the year. My cousins are very merry. And Pelwyn and I love all those things that females enjoy doing together, and riding, of course. And I'm quite passionate about my garden.

I don't understand why no one has chosen you. You're really pretty, you're strong and you think about things a lot, you're not just a... well. Anyway. It seems like someone would break some rules and come after you. I might, if I weren't stuck with Cassidy, who already hates me.

You want to know a secret about Jason? I haven't even told him. When he touches me...ok, this sounds all wrong. I don't mean it like that. But when I wake up in the middle of the night and he's got hold of my wrist, or when he shoves me or spots me on weights, I get warm all over. It's really weird.

Faldur keeps looking at me. Heh. Wonder what he'd do if I kissed you? Come at me with that knife I bet.

You know, gentlemen, I really do think that they are standing too close together for propriety, and have been doing so for quite a long time now. I can't really see their faces... does it seem to you as if he's leaning over her? I know that she is shorter than he and perhaps he is just talking to her, but all the same... I do think that I should go bring them back here.

Aidan, Faldur's coming over. See that little smile pasted on his mouth, and the way he's walking so stiffly. That means he's upset. And he likes you very much, too.

Thank you for talking with me. I hope you can visit again. I'm afraid our time alone is over. (puts her hand on his wrist)Aden Fath, Aiden. Verbril kelfa. Have faith, and the stars will light your way.

(I wonder what those two were really talking about? And the other two trying to get me drunk! And implying I'm too old for her. I may be a little older, but I'm not that much older. When I'm a hundred and fifteen and she's eighty-five, will it really matter?

I certainly could use some tall, strong, experienced men like them to help us take care of the nightstalkers once and for all.)